Tour a restored Robert Rummer-built midcentury modern and 12 other remodeled homes (before, after photos) – OregonLive

If you're curious to learn how an unfinished basement could become a rentable self-contained in-law suite or if you're throwing in the towel after years of fighting your dysfunctional kitchen, here's a suggestion: Check out the 13 just-improved dwellings in the Portland area's Tour of Remodeled Homes on Saturday, March 14, and Sunday, March 15.

The top PRO remodelers with the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Portland will be on hand to answer questions, from taking down a wall to open up a room to making the best of underused space. In a condo on the tour, a bedroom closet became a storage-centric butler's pantry off the kitchen.

AFTER Oregon Homeworks

Tickets ($30, remodeltourportland.com) allow you to see the homes at your own pace from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

All styles, from classic to contemporary, and budgets are on view.

After seeing the latest trends and color palette to clever design techniques to make a home more livable, tour goers may be inspired to launch a big or small home improvement project.

AFTER Oregon Homeworks

This year, theres another reason to check out the Tour of Remodeled Homes: One of the stops is a glass-walled midcentury modern homes built by Robert Rummer.

Eric Thompson of Oregon Homeworkshas completed a remodel, from the slab-on-grade concrete floor to the steeply pitched roof, in Beaverton's Oak Hills Historic District.

The 1967 dwelling, with a see-through interior atrium that leads to a living room with a vaulted, wood-planked ceiling, has all the swank of the Mad Men era as well as modern upgrades.

AFTER Oregon Homeworks

Who would appreciate seeing this home on the tour? Anyone who loves modern and midcentury architecture, says Thompson, who has restored four Rummers, as the homes are called, including his own residence."And anyone contemplating a remodel of their own home."

Thompson says the dwelling's inventive design endures after half a century because single-level living, open floor plans and simple cabinetry and fixtures continue to be duplicated in new homes.

AFTER Oregon Homeworks

The house is based on architect A. Quincy Jones' iconic Double Gable roof design built by prolific California tract developer Joseph Eichler.

Floor-to-ceiling windows rising to soaring ceilings and sliding glass doors draw in natural light and ease the boundaries between inside and out.

Two rear-facing windows were added in the dining room to frame the views of the backyard and beyond.

Thompson said the original floor plan was kept mostly intact, but he did remove a wall that divided the kitchen and family room from the dining room to improve the flow of the house.

AFTER Oregon Homeworks

The hobby room off the garage was converted into a mudroom, second master closet and home office. The original layout of the hall bath and laundry closet was also altered to maximize functionality, he says.

AFTER Oregon Homeworks

To improve energy efficiency, Thompson installed new windows, insulation, heating and air conditioning systems and drywall as well as plumbing and wiring.

Read more: Oregon's coolest midcentury modern houses: Builder Bob Rummer's enduring legacy (photos)

BEFORE Oregon Homeworks

BEFORE

Tour of Remodeled Homes map

Choose your own route: Here are the stops on the Tour of Remodeled Homesfrom 10 a.m to 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, and Sunday, March 15.

AFTER C&K Custom Remodeling

Whole house remodel: A couple bought a house in Beaverton's Bronson Creek Estates knowing they would need to remodel it completely for their growing family.

The renovations by C&K Custom Remodeling Inc. spanned the entire house, from the new, welcoming entry to an office and five bathrooms.

The two redesigned living rooms have natural stone and new gas fireplaces.

Without altering the square footage, the kitchen is more efficient and feels more spacious with an improved layout.

A self-contain apartment with a living area, bedroom suite and laundry was created out of underused existing space.

The dated heavy texturing and millwork throughout the house has been replaced with a more modern aesthetics and smooth wall finishes. There is new lighting, paint and a water filtration system.

The garage is now set up to be a pottery studio with custom cabinetry, upgraded electrical and epoxy floor.

C&K Custom Remodeling

[BEFOREThe kitchen was dated with gingerbread styling and out-of-date finishes. The layout did not flow well. Improvements were made within the existing square footage.]

AFTER Cooper Design Build

Whole house remodel: The once claustrophobic kitchen in the single-level Portland home now expands into the dining room. Cooper Design Build also installed a large skylight and picture window to draw in natural light.

Cooper Design Build

BEFORE

AFTER Photo by Brian Pierce/Pierce Pixels

First floor and basement remodel: A wall was removed between the dining room and kitchen. Creekstone Design + Remodel found a way to accommodate a built-in deep refrigerator and the fronts of new pantry cabinets have practical magnetic chalkboards.

The basement is now a self-contained in-law unit with a kitchenette, master suite, closet, laundry, walk-in tile shower and heated bath floors.

Creekstone Design + Remodel

BEFORE

AFTER Kraft Custom Construction

Condo remodel: A dark condo is now a more open space that showcases the owner's original artwork.

Kraft Custom Construction removed walls to open up the kitchen and installed cabinets that are white gloss and matte bright blue. An underused bedroom closet is now a butler's pantry.

The new master bathroom was designed to accommodate aging in place with a curb-less shower, removable shower seat, grab bars and ample lighting.

There is also a wall-mounted Washlet toilet and sink faucet, floating vanity with strip lighting underneath, quartz counters and large-format porcelain tile.

A pink sink faucet is near an art niche.

Kraft Custom Construction

BEFORE

AFTER Petrina Construction

Master bedroom remodel: Petrina Construction added space to the second floor of a house in Portland's Laurelhurst neighborhood to upgrade the master bedroom and incorporate a bathroom without having to go into the hall.

AFTER Photo by Brian Pierce/Pierce Pixels

Kitchen remodel: Creekstone Design + Remodel removed a 16-foot-long fireplace wall to open the kitchen to adjoining rooms. The new kitchen has navy cabinets and mosaic backsplashes as well as a wine fridge and microwave concealed in the island.

Creekstone Design + Remodel

BEFORE

AFTER Brian Pierce/Pierce Pixels

Kitchen remodel: To open up the confined kitchen, Creekstone Design + Remodel exposed the existing coffered ceiling and added windows as was as LED wafer lighting to the vaulted ceiling.

Creekstone Design + Remodel

BEFORE

AFTER Wiedly Construction

Whole house remodel: A 1970s Mediterranean-style house in Lake Oswego needed to be upgraded and updated from its Old World style to a contemporary one with new cabinets, countertops, staircases and light fixtures.

Wieldy Construction created a new ceiling structure supported by two large beams. Interior arches mirror outside colonnade arches.

A covered porch and two large windows face a forest area. Inside, seven skylights and four large windows maximize natural lighting. The lower floor now has an entertainment area and sunroom.

Wiedly Construction

BEFORE

AFTER Cooper Design Build

Whole house remodel: Cooper Design Build restored the natural character of a Craftsman-style house in Lake Oswego while modernizing its systems and layout, including creating an expanded master bathroom with a soaking tub, shower and double vanity.

The unfinished basement is now a suite of separate, flexible spaces and off of the kitchen is a large deck that connects to a new two-car garage.

Cooper Design Build

BEFORE

AFTER Brian Schmidt Builder

Whole house remodel: A 1915 bungalow walking distance to Oswego Lake received foundation work, a reconfigured, open floor plan and second floor addition by Brian Schmidt Builder.

Brian Schmidt Builder

BEFORE

AFTER Metke Remodeling & Luxury Homes

Main floor remodel: Metke Remodeling & Luxury Homes opened the kitchen-living-dining space to enhance the home's view of Lake Oswego. The kitchen was also made more functional for entertaining.

A large masonry fireplace and chimney were removed to draw in more light and expand the kitchen and add a bar. The master bathroom now has a steam shower, double vanity and soaking tub.

Metke Remodeling & Luxury Homes

BEFORE

AFTER NVHolden Photography

Whole house remodel: Mountainwood Homes renovated a house in West Linn's Ashdown Woods neighborhood to function better and enhance its style.

The sunken living room was raised to eliminate steps and stained hardwood floors were installed throughout the main level.

The kitchen was reconfigured and the cooktop was relocated to make the hood the focal point of the back wall.

The master bathroom was enlarged and a jetted tub was replaced with a sculptural, freestanding tub that has a view of the courtyard.

Mountainwood Homes

BEFORE

--Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman

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Tour a restored Robert Rummer-built midcentury modern and 12 other remodeled homes (before, after photos) - OregonLive